02-17-2020, 02:27 AM
RIO DE JANEIRO -- Jill Rankin Schneider no longer has to wonder what its like being at the Olympics, even if shell never know the feeling of actually competing in the games.She was a member of the second U.S. Olympic womens basketball team. But when America boycotted the 1980 Moscow Games, the Olympic window for Schneider -- and many others -- closed.Now Schneider is at the Rio de Janeiro Games working with FIBA thanks to an assist from USA Basketball.This has really been a great experience, Schneider said Sunday after the U.S. routed China 105-62 in womens basketball.FIBA always has someone at each Olympics as an observer who compiles a report for the competition committee. With men and women playing games at separate arenas through the first nine days at the Rio Games, USA Basketball got a call looking for a recommendation.Carol Callan, USA Basketballs director of the national womens team, thought of Schneider.Jill has been doing a lot for us, Callan said. She was a youth 17 national team coach, an Olympian and sort of a nice twist to all of this of course is she was an Olympian when the boycott occurred. So when we asked her to go, it just seemed like a special fit because it gave her an opportunity that she didnt have before.Schneider had never attended the Olympics. Not because of any grudge involving the 1980 boycott. The games simply seemed from another world to Schneider.It was like the Olympics were this huge event you watched on TV, said Schneider. I dont know if I ever envisioned myself being at one.That doesnt mean Schneider, now 58, has completely moved past any bitterness from 1980.Every Summer Olympics, its almost like you relive it because people ask about it, Schneider said. Newspapers at home, TV at home, they always want to talk about it and ask about it and just naturally you think about it. What it wouldve been like to be at the opening ceremonies? What it wouldve been like to really play at the Olympics.Schneider helped the University of Tennessee reach the AIAW national championship game, but after the boycott, she turned to coaching. She was inducted into the Womens Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008 and has coached at Lubbock-Monterey High School in Texas since 1998. She also teaches college algebra.Schneider has been at every womens basketball game in group play and will be at every game in the medal round. She also has gotten to see some rugby sevens, equestrian and shooting near the basketball arena.She also stood for The Star-Spangled Banner at five games won by the Americans, though just off the edge of the court itself.Its kind of nice to be here and get a sense of what it wouldve been like, Schneider said. Of course, it was how many years ago? It was 1980, but its always just something, that lingering kind of disappointment I didnt get to experience it as a player.---Online:AP Summer Games website: http://summergames.ap.org/ Discount Shoes Stores . President of baseball operations Larry Beinfest was fired Friday after 12 years with the Marlins. The move came as the team neared the end of its third consecutive last-place season in the NL East. Discount Vapormax . They had already blown a double-digit lead, fans were hitting the exits, and a long seven-game road trip waited at the end. http://www.cheapshoesstorewholesale.com/...utlet.html . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. Nike Basketball Shoes Clearance . Luis Suarezs double powered Liverpool to a 4-0 victory over Fulham, and Southampton easily overcame Hull 4-1 to continue the south coast clubs impressive start to the season. Liverpool and Southampton sent Chelsea down to fourth place as the west London club was held to 2-2 at home. Stan Smith Sneakers Wholesale . -- Tony Stewart is 20 pounds lighter and has a titanium rod in his surgically repaired right leg. TOKYO -- Top-seeded Misaki Doi of Japan lost to Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus 7-5, 6-3 in the first round of the Japan Open on Tuesday.Sasnovich secured the win after breaking Dois serve in the final game, and will face Alison Riske of the United States in the next round.In another upset, second-seeded Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium was beaten by Viktorija Golubic of Switzerlandd 6-1, 7-6 (7).ddddddddddddefending champion Wickmayer, whose title here last year was her first in five years, had her serve broken four times in the first set.Also, fourth-seeded Johanna Larsson of Sweden defeated Sabine Lisicki of Germany 6-3, 6-2. ' ' '